Ridesharing is changing how people in crowded cities get around town and can be a significant benefit for cities as it can alleviate traffic congestion and reduce drunk driving. Ridesharing is not a new concept: limousine and taxi services have been around for more than 100 years. However, the rise of new ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber has drastically changed the industry. These new companies are not regulated the same way that taxi services are, making legal action against them more complicated. If you get into an accident involving a ridesharing company’s driver, determining liability, coverage, and compensation for related expenses can quickly become a nightmare.
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident involving a rideshare driver, you might want to speak with a Los Angeles ridesharing accident lawyer who can help you understand the liability concerns involved, as well as help you determine if you have a credible civil case. You can call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free no-obligation consultation with our legal team.
Common Injuries From Ridesharing Accidents
Ridesharing accidents generally leave drivers and passengers with injuries. These injuries are the same as most car accidents and include:
- Bruises: Bruises are tissue damage and internal bleeding from a serious impact. Most bruises heal on their own. However, serious bruises can damage tissue down to the bone and cause a lot of internal bleeding, making them life-threatening.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are not uncommon in car accidents, especially accidents where the frame of the car is bent or broken. Broken arms and legs are the most likely fractures.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a severe sprain of the neck muscles. It is caused by a sudden stop that throws the head forward or backward unexpectedly, straining the muscles as they try to compensate.
- Concussion: Anyone in a car accident who hits their head may end up with a concussion. Concussions can be dangerous, especially if someone suffers multiple concussions in a short amount of time.
- Brain injuries: Accidents can lead to head and brain injuries. Brain injuries require immediate medical care and can leave lasting effects.
Any injury should be considered serious. Seek medical treatment to ensure that you get the care that you need. You can use the records from that medical care in your civil suit against the responsible driver.
Prevalence of Ridesharing Accidents
There is not a lot of research into ridesharing’s effect on the transportation industry because the new ridesharing companies are not that old. However, a University of Chicago working paper shows a connection between ridesharing and traffic fatalities. There has been a relatively small but noticeable increase in traffic fatalities that are linked to ridesharing. With this increase come changes to legal proceedings to try to regulate the ridesharing industry appropriately.
When to Seek Legal Action
If you are involved in a ridesharing accident, you may find it worthwhile to consult a lawyer. Like other car accidents, someone will be held responsible for the accident. You may be able to recover compensation to help with any expenses created by the accident. It could be worthwhile for you to seek help from a Los Angeles ridesharing accident lawyer after a collision, as you might miss your opportunity to recover the compensation that you are owed. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to speak with a team member about your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Ridesharing Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Ridesharing Accident Laws in Los Angeles
Ridesharing is popular in Los Angeles, making it a high priority for lawmakers to clarify issues when it comes to ridesharing and liability. Determining liability can be tricky based on the specifics of the accident. However, liability laws in ridesharing accidents generally follow the same guidelines as other accidents. The party that is determined to be responsible for the accident is the one that can be sued in civil court.
The ridesharing driver and company are not automatically responsible for the accident. Both entities limit their liability for cases where they can be found responsible, and both can only be sued if they were the cause of the accident. In cases where the driver of the rideshare vehicle is held responsible for the collision, they are likely not covered by the company’s insurance. This is one of the reasons why legislators want to change the law so that rideshare drivers would be considered employees of the rideshare company. In other cases, the company can be held liable and is likely heavily insured. However, other people on the road can also be held liable.
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Understanding Your Rights
If you are injured in a ridesharing accident, then you largely have the same rights that you would in any accident. You have the right to sue in civil court for reimbursement for your expenses related to the accident. The key difference is determining who is liable. You might benefit from speaking with a Los Angeles ridesharing accident lawyer since determining liability in these cases can be difficult. A lawyer can conduct their own investigation and tell you if you have a credible case or not.
There is a statute of limitations that starts the day of the accident. If you want to recover compensation, you have until the statute of limitations runs out to file—CCP § 335.1 limits you to two years from the date of the accident for a personal injury lawsuit, while CCP § 338 sets a three-year deadline for property damage lawsuits.
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Discuss Your Potential Case With Our Legal Team
Building a ridesharing accident case can be more difficult than cases for other car accidents because of the liability issues. If you are not an experienced lawyer, you may need help with your case. You might want to consult with a Los Angeles ridesharing accident lawyer about your case. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to speak with our legal team. The consultation with our team is free.
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